Dolphins fall to 0-3

The nightmare of a 2009 season continued for the Miami Dolphins, as they fell 23-13 to the San Diego Chargers.

Philip Rivers completed 18-of-33 passes for 303 yards in the victory.

Trailing 3-0, the Dolphins were driving for the go-ahead score when Chad Pennington fumbled the handoff with Ronnie Brown.

The ball bounded out of the end zone, and the Chargers ended up with a momentum-swinging touchback.

From then on, the Chargers dominated.

Vincent Jackson caught five passes for 120 yards, and Antonio Gates added five catches for 64 yards to lead San Diego.

Chad Pennington was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury after completing 8-of-12 passes for 54 yards.

Fans who wanted to see Chad Henne become the future had to be disappointed, as last year's second round pick struggled with 10 completions in 19 attempts for 92 yards and an interception that Eric Weddle returned 31 yards for the clinching TD and a 23-6 lead.

Ronnie Brown had a decent game with 18 carries for 75 yards, but he was less effective in the second half, when he ran for just 24 yards as the Dolphins tried to mount a comeback.

But, what's happened to Pat White?

The team's second round choice from West Virginia has played less and less as the season has worn on, after an ineffective game in Week 1 vs. Atlanta.

In San Diego, White never took the field, and in the last two Wildcat-heavy games, he has not been involved.

Could this mean White isn't worth the pick the Dolphins spent on him? Are Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells admitting they made a mistake by drafting him, when they could have had an impact defensive player like USC's Rey Maluaga?

He certainly could have helped Sunday. Kendall Langford and Joey Porter each had a sack, but the Dolphins couldn't put consistent pressure on Rivers.

At 0-3, the Miami faces another must win at home against Buffalo next week.

(Photo: Yahoo images)